A new analytical solution estimating the flexural rigidity in the Central Andes |
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| Authors: | S Wienecke † C Braitenberg H-J Götze |
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| Institution: | Geological Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;Department of Earth Sciences, University Trieste, Via Weiss 1, 34100 Trieste, Italy;Institut für Geowissenschaften, Abtl. Geophysik, CAU Kiel, Otto Hahn Platz 1, 24118 Kiel, Germany |
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| Abstract: | We present a new 2-D analytical solution of the fourth-order differential equation, which describes the flexure of a thin elastic plate.
The new analytical solution allows the differential equation for an elastic plate to be solved for any irregular shaped topography with a high spatial resolution. We apply the new method to the Central Andes. The flexural rigidity distribution calculated by this technique correlates well with tectonic units and the location of fault zones, for example, the Central Andean Gravity High correlates with the presence of a rigid, high-density body. |
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| Keywords: | crust depth of compensation gravity isostasy Moho discontinuity |
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